New Years Day

This is a day I won't forget and has given me understanding of the homelessness in London. My family and I took to the streets around London on New Years Day, giving out bags with blankets, warm clothes and food to the homeless. The idea was to cheer up their news years and for us to start as we mean to go on. The weather was treacherous and initially I thought it was inconvenient for it to be so cold and rainy that day, but it made the experience more worthwhile, as we realised that we were helping the homeless in the conditions that they would need it the very most.

We purchased 20 meal deals and packed them into separate bags, ready to give out along with warm clothes. We would go up to them in a maximum of two and hand out a bag to them. I remember the first person I went up to was sleeping on some stairs under a narrow strip of shelter with a bottle of Malibu next to him. It's easy to judge but for me it was very hard not to feel compassion, as the alcohol was probably the only thing to keep him warm as half of his body was exposed to the rain. I covered him with a blanket and my partner gently woke him up just to let him know that the bag of food and clothes was now his. Anxious for his response at being tapped awake, he was very grateful and did not stop thanking us.

Although I admit was naturally nervous at first, by the end we realised that every single person showed gratitude towards us in one form or another. One thing I felt particularly touched by was a comment made, 'you have cold hands but a warm heart.' Another person said, 'It's bearable being homeless. We would survive. You don't have to help us, but what you do makes life worth living.' 

The second person we handed a bag to was from Greece escaping the economic climate there. He was surprisingly very articulate and keen to talk to us about his life and share his story. The eagerness for each person to talk to us and explain how they become homeless was a common trait amongst the people we helped. For example one man was found homeless after his long-term girlfriend had passed away six months previously. He became depressed, an alcoholic and lost his home. It gave me a great insight into how people find themselves in these positions, through a combination of unfortunate events that could happen to anyone including me. This is the main thought I have taken away from that day and to never discriminate, because you cannot judge how people land in the positions they are in. 

How You Can Help

Whilst we made the day of it, through this experience I realised just how easy it is to make a difference to someone day to day. If in london eating a meal, it doesn't take a lot buy an extra meal for a homeless person. Every time I go to London (in winter) I have committed to taking a blanket to give to a homeless person that looks cold- a small act of kindness that could make a huge difference to someones life. Above all, sometimes a small gesture such as a conversation or even a smile can brightens someones day.

Teen Constructs a Bionic Arm

I first came across this story briefly at Medlink and I was so intrigued that I had to do more research into this incredible story. 

Technology in medicine has come a long way and prices have sky rocketed along with that. A 17 year old teen, Easton LaChapelle,  managed to replace an $80 000 bionic arm that was limited in its functions, (only just being able to hold a can) with one which is of "extreme strength, functionality, costs under $500 and weighs less than a human arm." He still working on it and now each finger could hold 50 pounds of mass, surpassing human strength- almost dangerous! The low cost was made possible via 3D printing- a method with could help amputees of the third world. 3D printing has also allowed for changes and developments to be made easily through prototypes and adjustments. 

Easton LaChapelle at The White House 

This is a huge achievement for anyone, especially someone of this age. It is a huge inspiration to our generation, whatever their future aspirations. It all began when he saw a 7 year old girl with an $80,000 prosthetic arm, which is when he became determined to help lower the outrageous costs. His main motivation was clear and that was to contribute. A quote from his Ted talk, "It all started from boredom, into something that could change people's lives." This is just the start and his contributions are still continuing, as he is now building an exoskeleton for his friend who was paralysed from the waist down, so he can walk for his graduation. 

I think curiosity in the world today is key for progress and he says he challenges us to "look beyond the boundaries and be curious."